Name
Ralph Le Mare
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Ralph, and his brother Reginald Le Mare did not
appear in the Parish Records and Lists. They were first identified in a
photograph in the 17th July 1915 edition of the Watford Illustrated,
with a caption which indicated that they were the sons of Mrs Le Mare of
“Glencairn”, Abbots Langley.
Ralph was the younger of the two brothers, and was
born on the 1st June 1893 at Highgate in London. His brother
Reginald also served in the Great War. He was one of four children (two sons
and two daughters) born to Joshua and Matilda Le Mare. Joshua worked at the
Stores Department of the London and North-west Railway Company, but died at sea
on 30th March 1899.
The widowed Matilda had moved the family to Bexhill
by the time of the 1901 Census and in the 1911 Census the family was recorded
living at “Glendore”, Smitham Downs Road, in Purley, Surrey. At that time Ralph was listed employed as a
Clerk in a Stock Broker’s Office.
Ralph and Reginald were first recorded in the
military records in November 1914, serving with the Artists’ Rifles (28th
County of London Battalion). Their Medal Rolls indicated that they both went to
France on 29th December 1914, serving as a Privates. Ralph was
commissioned on 22nd April 1915, and joined the 1st
Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Reginald also joined the 1st
Battalion and was commissioned on 10th June 1915. They were both
recorded with the rank of Lieutenant serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in
July 1915.
Nothing further has been identified concerning
Ralph’s service but when he claimed his Service Medals at the end of the War he
was living at 137 West End Lane, Hampstead. In March 1928 he was recorded on
the Incoming Passenger Lists arriving at Plymouth on the SS “Accra” from Lagos.
At that time he was listed as a Government Official.
Ralph Le Mare and his brother Reginald both
survived the War.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
